For many people with varicose veins problems, their condition is not merely unsightly but can be painful. Varicose veins if not treated just continue to get worse. There are two major vein systems in your body: the deep system and the superficial system. The deep system hooks up with your heart lungs and all your major organs. The superficial is the system responsible for varicose veins and brings blood from your skin and superficial areas to the deep system by connections called perforators.
Normal blood flow in the legs
The blood in your legs is fighting gravity, so when you take a step, your calf muscle squeezes and helps push the blood up your leg as the valves shut holding it in that position until your calf squeezes again. Unlike a heart valve, the valves in your leg are very thin and break easily. Many causes of broken valves can include pregnancy, prolonged standing, prolonged sitting, travel, obesity and injury. The blood goes up and falls back down when a valve breaks, taking longer to get up the leg. This is called venous reflux and results in an increase in pressure, causing varicose veins that lead to symptoms like heaviness, itching, swelling, rashes and venous ulcers.
Deep Venous Thrombosis
Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot that forms in the deep veins. Symptoms of DVT include swelling, calf tightness (a charley horse feeling) and redness. DVTs are a very serious problem as they can break loose and travel to your lungs (pulmonary embolism), and can cause death. After a blood clot is resolved, it can also result in valve damage in the deep system, which can cause swelling, pain and ulcers.
Avoiding Varicose Veins
While varicose veins are not completely preventable, there are several things that you can do to keep them from progressing: regular exercise, compression stockings, avoiding prolonged standing and sitting and have them evaluated by a vein specialist.
At Virginia vein and wellness our specialty is treating varicose veins. We offer vein screenings, custom compression stockings and services to help you manage your varicose veins. If you need help with your varicose vein contact us today!
At Virginia Vein & Wellness Center, our specialty is treating varicose veins. We offer vein screenings, custom compression stockings and services to help manage your varicose veins. If you need help with your varicose veins, contact us today!